For the first tim, Target stores across America opened their doors at 9 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

“Starting off at 9 p.m., we had our biggest crowd ever, and then around 1:30 a.m. between 2 a.m. it kind of fluctuated down some,” Cal Jones, one of the managers said.

Jones said the Black Friday rush normally tapers off around 3 a.m. but the new opening time pushed that rush of shoppers back several hours. He said that allowed workers to restock shelves before the second wave of shoppers came to the store. Jones also said 75 people were hired to handle holiday shopping.

“Being able to hire 75 people is very very good,” he said, “…so we’re very thankful.”

Before the store opened, the line stretched all the way to Dowlen Road. Jones said it took 40 minutes for everyone to enter the store. Once inside, many headed straight to the Electronics Department, looking for discounted televisions, cameras and other entertainment devices.

However, not everyone was looking for a deal.

“We’re not really here for a good deal,” Michal Holland said. “We’re just hanging out drinking our coffee.”

The Dallas resident came to Beaumont to visit her sister. Joined by their mother, the three spent their time enjoying each other’s company.

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